Youre traveling to Vietnam!

This short guide will help you prepare for

your upcoming journey with Alluring
Asia.

Passports & Visa

A passport with a minimum of six months
validity remaining from the date of entry
and evidence of onward/return ticket are
required. A visa is required for United
States citizens to enter Vietnam.
Click on bullet items below for more information.

Apply for a passport

Renew by mail
Report and replace lost/stolen U.S.
passport
Correct or change U.S. passport
information
Visa information

Immuzinations & Vaccines

We strongly recommend you seek the
advice of your physician for all travel
vaccinations. For additional information
please visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

Tipping
Service charges of 10% are added to bills in
most leading hotels and restaurants.
Where it is not included, a tip of 10-15% of
the bill would be appropriate.
Airport porter/hotel bellboy:
$1.00 - $2.00 USD per bag.
Your tour guide:
$10.00 - $15.00 USD per person per day.
PRE TRAVEL

GUIDE

Driver/assistants:
$6.00 - $8.00 USD per person per day.
Overnight Halong Bay Cruises:
It is customary to tip the crew $25.00 per
person per day.

What to Pack

Reading List

Dress is casual and modest in style and the climate is hot

and humid most time of year. Bring lightweight clothing in
natural fibers like linen, silk, and cotton to be the most
comfortable. At all times you should avoid wearing
revealing clothing and large amounts of jewelry; they
consider this offensive.

Vietnam, A Traveler's
Literary Companion
Author: John Balaban &
Nguyen Qui Duc,
Anthology, 1996, 239
pages
Description: From rain
forest and rural
countryside to the cities,
these 17 stories from Vietnam's finest
writers explore Vietnam's landscapes,
myths and changing traditions.

During certain times of the year it can be chilly in the

evenings so be sure to pack a shawl, wrap or pullover.
Scarf, sarong or pashmina to cover your, arms, legs and
shoulders when visiting religious sites or you may wear
long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.
Hiking/trekking shoes and/or good pair of walking shoes
for the city.
Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, hand
sanitizer/handi-wipes, binoculars and a flashlight with
extra batteries are all necessities.
An umbrella and rain jacket is essential during the rainy
season from June-October in the north, SeptemberDecember in the central and May-October in the south, but
even during the other months its wise to have one with
you for those occasional showers.
Water purifier or a Safe Water Drinking Bottle since water
is not safe to drink in Vietnam.
Public restrooms in Vietnam typically do not have toilet
tissue, so you may wish to carry a small amount during
your touring days.
Electronic chargers for your camera, phone, computer, etc.
and extra camera memory card(s).
Electrical converter and outlet adapter. Their electrical
voltage is 120/220 volts AC, 50HZ and they use two round
prong and three square prong plugs.
Due to restricted weight limits on all the domestic flights
(20kg or 44 pounds) it is recommended that you travel as
light as possible.

Fire in the Lake

Author: Frances
FitzGerald, History, 2002,
496 pages
Description: A classic
historical, political and
cultural portrait of the
Vietnam War, seen
through the eyes of the
Vietnamese. Winner of both the Pulitzer
Prize and National Book Award,
FitzGerald, a staff writer at the New Yorker
and a reporter in Vietnam, presents a vivid
image of a revolution and a clear-sighted
case for why the U.S offensive was
doomed from the start. It's still essential
reading 30 years later.
Understanding
Vietnam
Author: Neil Jamieson,
Cultural Portrait, 1995,
428 pages.
Description: Jamieson's
ambitious primer
addresses politics, social
history, village life,
structural renewal, literature and the arts,
illuminating the Vietnamese worldview
with insight and depth. It does just what
the title promises -- it illuminates the
Vietnamese and their worldview.